Reaching the perfect lap time can be a daunting and exhilarating goal for any driver. But the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS is engineered to make this quest achievable. With 895 pounds of downforce and an array of buttons on the steering wheel which enable the driver to adjust performance settings, this incredibly powerful Porsche is designed to help drivers achieve stability and speed in pursuit of a perfect lap. To witness first-hand how it performs, we take you on a ridealong with a factory driver at the Thermal Club in Palm Springs, California – a three-mile track that has become the proving ground for this incredible machine.
895 Pounds of Downforce
The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is a powerful and performance-driven car that seeks the perfect lap. It has a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-6 with revised camshafts and single-throttle intake that produces 518 hp and 343 lb-ft of torque. The car is equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, Dynamic Downforce system and revised cooling system to get the most out of every turn.
The car produces 1,895 pounds of downforce when tested in the wind tunnel providing an impressive amount of grip and handling abilities on the track. With the Dynamic Downforce system, the center of gravity is lowered by adjusting the front and rear spoilers depending on the speed of the car. This helps provide improved stability and control when taking curves or changing direction quickly. The revised cooling system ensures that the engine is well protected from extreme temperatures while allowing for maximum power output.
The adjustable dampers give drivers the ability to customize their driving experience to their preference. From comfort mode to track mode, drivers can choose how stiff or soft they want the suspension to be for their specific needs. The 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS also features active rear axle steering which allows for sharper cornering abilities and better response when negotiating tight turns.
All these features come together to provide an exhilarating experience on any track. With its superior power, precise handling, and dynamic downforce system, the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS seeks out the perfect lap.
Achieving the Perfect Lap Time
Bergmeister altered the setup for Session 2, aiming to reduce understeer and increase oversteer by shifting the weight of the car. He instructed to elevate weight on the car’s nose and reduce it on the rear. This was done by introducing Porsche’s Weissach Package, which included several components that reduce weight. It featured a combination of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) and forged magnesium wheels, meaning the overall vehicle weight was reduced significantly.
The result was an improved grip, meaning the car turned tight in hairpins and felt more playfully upon corner exits. As such, adjustments could be made to the chassis limits using its dynamic elements. Specifically, the 2023 911 GT3 RS offers hubs with customizable camber, adjustable control arms to alter wheel angle as well as toe setting, plus stabilizer bars that can be stiffened or softened.
An additional alteration was applied to brake pads, upgraded in order to increase bite for improved stopping power. However, considering that this component comes at an increased cost due to its use of carbon-ceramic rotors, it is not worth the price for what it brings in terms of additional performance gains.
All these changes added up to create a car with a better balance between front and rear. The 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS was able to move forward with more agility while maintaining stability during hard braking and turns – ultimately striving for the perfect lap time.
Achieving Stability and Speed
For the third session, Tobias Bergmeister suggested changing the limited-slip differential setting to -2 off throttle and +2 on throttle. Surprisingly, the car responded extremely well to this change, as Lohnert managed to maintain his fast speeds despite the challenging corners.
The PTV setting was then changed to -1 off-throttle, and +4 on throttle. This came as a surprise to Bergmeister and Lohnert, who were expecting a significant improvement in terms of speed and stability. However, after a few laps it became clear that the -1 PTV setting was not suitable for the Esses section of the track. The car wanted to go straight when on the throttle, which made navigating these tight corners difficult. As a result, they reverted back to the 0 PTV setting for on-throttle.
As the session progressed, it became increasingly apparent that the tires were losing grip once they had been used consecutively. The car also started sliding earlier in sharp turns due to reduced traction on the inside wheels. Despite this setback, Lohnert managed to keep up his pace and finished with respectable times for each lap.
It was impressive how consistent their handling was even with all these changes being made halfway through the session. The team never needed to alter the traction or stability control settings and it never intervened to get them back on line. This goes to show just how sophisticated and accurate tuning can be when done properly.
Ultimately, it seems like the third session was successful in improving cornering stability and speed despite some minor hiccups along the way. With all these data points collected from each session, we can only wonder what they have in store for Session 4 – will they finally achieve their goal of the perfect lap?
Perfection on a Track – A Factory Driver’s Ridealong in the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Taking a right-seat ridealong with Porsche Factory Driver Lars Kern in the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS shows how it is built to get the most out of its chassis. Every lap around the track sees Kern adjust settings to suit his driving style and track conditions, and it’s easy to feel why the car earned a perfect lap score. The car is street-legal even though several features it comes with are not accepted by racing organizations.
The 911 GT3 RS is pricey, but the cost encourages drivers to push the boundaries in pursuit of perfect laps. By providing lodging, airfare, and a track experience for Motor Authority, Porsche made sure that this firsthand report could be shared. Kern is masterful as he sets up the car and remains unflappable in his pursuit of a perfect lap. He uses brakes, steering, and power delivery to stay in control and keep up speed on every corner.
The GT3 RS’s suspension demonstrates why it’s such a great car for non-professional racers – it allows easy adjustment through the drive settings, yet still provides enough responsiveness and feedback to be enjoyable while pushing your boundaries. With adjustable aerodynamics, active engine mounts, weight saving measures like adding carbon fiber components, and other performance settings like increased shift times and improved downforce, it has all of what you need for a perfect lap.
Kern’s confidence when driving around a fast corner seems almost superhuman at times; however, he explains that the 911 GT3 RS has taught him how to drive faster without fear or risk. It hasn’t been long since Kern was an aspiring amateur racer trying to get his first taste of victory – now he’s a factory driver with an impressive list of wins behind him – all thanks to the 911 GT3 RS. As he executes a perfect lap around the track, everyone on board can’t help but be impressed by this outstanding machine.
The 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS is a true manifestation of Porsche’s commitment to perfection in track performance. Its lightweight yet powerful design, complemented by its 895 pounds of downforce and the ability to achieve stability and speed, make the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS the perfect machine for achieving the ultimate lap. With the help of a factory driver, this car can take you to the edge of perfection on the track as you strive for the perfect lap.